"Be still, and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10
The sun has finally come out here in the little town of Woodland, Washington. Flowers are blooming and the grass is growing like crazy. On one hand, this can be a particular frustration to those who like to keep a trim lawn. My father-in-law keeps our fields mowed and he is always checking to see if, on a sunny day, he can mow and not get stuck in a bog of mud. Dan took the tractor out this last weekend and almost got it stuck trying to clean up brush by the creek.
Yesterday was a cold and stormy day. So, with the sun coming out today, you can bet that there are many outside soaking it up. I even was outside for a bit this morning just sitting with my eyes closed on the back deck. The warmth of the sunshine on my face was delicious. I imagine more freckles are popping out as I write this.
I have read somewhere that there are more cases of skin cancer in the PNW. Seems odd as we don't get as much sunshine per year as other places. Instead, one would think that we would get skin mold as it is so damp and rainy a good portion of the 365 days that make up a year. The reasoning is this: on days where the sun shines we drop everything just to be outside. We will stay outside, too, because it might rain tomorrow. So, we enjoy it while we can thus spending too much time in the sun's rays.
I had gone outside to sit and read. This would have worked well except that I was reading on my Kindle and the sun was too bright to see the letters (plus the fact that I really need new glasses to see properly). So, the reading was set aside, the glasses were taken off and the head went back to feel the warmth of the light. We live in the country so it is quiet here a good portion of the time, except for the birds chirping and the occasional dog barking. It really is a good place for contemplation and reflection.
The children are grown so the busy somethings that used to go on at this place have changed. Now there is the quiet somethings that happen. Running out of time isn't an issue anymore or trying to keep up with time hasn't happened lately. It is the filling up of time that comes to mind more so now than ever before. This gives me a sense of cozy uncomfortableness as I fill out the days. Not complaining, mind you, just moving in transition to a new phase of life.
Don't get me wrong ~ there is ALWAYS something to be done. Weeds grow right along with the grass (however, I think that they grow faster and spread more). There is laundry, dishes and I still haven't figured out what we are having for dinner (age old problem for me). I could still very much fill up time with busy somethings. But there is a difference and I'm not quite sure how to explain it.
In all of this rambling the consideration is of being still and quiet. I haven't ever really been very good at this. Life has seemed so busy that my considerations and contemplations have been on the go. Not saying that one is good and the other bad ~ it's just the way it has been. This is the result of being more of a doer than a thinker. It is an odd feeling that, the older I get, all the things that were so important to get done don't seem that important anymore. Morning devotions were something to check off the list instead of an indwelling of devotion (Not trying to be super spiritual here cause if you knew me you would know that certainly isn't the case. Plus the fact that my devotional time always needs improvement).
We don't need to enter a convent or throw away our IPhones. The world is alive with busyness and we are part of it. It is okay to enjoy a movie and have dinner out. There is wonder and delight in the universe and on this tiny speck of dirt we call Earth. I guess what I'm trying to say it that it does feel good to slow down and breathe a bit even though it seems strange. Of course, this could all change tomorrow but for now I will enjoy it as coming from a kind Savior who made time. All our moments are in His hands and it was lovely to contemplate that this morning.
